Kent carries on Austin form in Argentina

Moto3™ Championship leader Danny Kent led the combined timesheets at the GP Red Bull De La República Argentina on the opening day.

There was a slow start to proceedings in Argentina as track conditions delayed the start of FP1. Fortunately it was not a lengthy delay and riders were soon out on track, unfortunately the track was very dirty. Times in FP1 did slowly improve, but the top riders were still roughly two seconds slower than last year.

Niccolo Antonelli led the session with a 1’51.523 with Danny Kent just behind. The top five saw an even split of Hondas and KTMs, with Oliveira and Fenati in fourth and fifth. Moto3™ rookie Jorge Martin continues to show the speed that won him the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup last season and is adapting to his new Mahindra.

FP2 saw track conditions improve, having had all three classes out by this point. Times fell by roughly two seconds, with all riders improving their times. Danny Kent set the fastest lap with a 1’49.154s, under the pole position record from last year. The British rider set his fastest laps without a tow and during a long run, something that is becoming a trademark of his this season.

A fourth position in the 2014 race was Livio Loi’s best result to date in the Moto3™ class. The Belgian rider clearly suits the Termas de Rio Hondo, finishing second on the opening day setting an identical time to Karel Hanika.

After claiming his debut podium in Austin, Fabio Quartararo went about learning his third new track in as many races. He finished the day in sixth and over half a second faster than his teammate Navarro. Argentina is less of a hindrance to the French youngster, with other riders only having one year of experience at the track.

It was not an easy day for home rider Gabriel Rodrigo, crashing twice in FP1. Stefano Manzi’s FP2 session was cut short as he encountered some technical issues on his Mahindra.

Click here for the combined Moto3™ FP1 & FP2 times, FP3 is scheduled for 9:00 local time on Saturday.